The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.
-- Jacques-Yves Cousteau
In 2008, I went down a rabbit hole of DIY and somewhat lazy researching of Proteus. He was son of Poseidon, and known as the Old Man of the Sea. There was of a particular story involving him that I was moved by that sparked it.
Proteus could tell the future, but would change into all sorts of shapes (a pig, a lion, a tree, water...) to avoid having to do so. He would only answer a person able to capture him.
The story that moved me is the one involving Aristaeus (the son of Apollo). His bees had all died and he needed to figure out how to prevent it from happening again. He knew that Proteus could give him information. It was this line that got me:
Aristaeus had to seize Proteus and hold him, no matter what he would change into.
What a beautiful thought. To hold someone, no matter what they will change into.
And, he did.
He did.
***
I can't bring myself to include the paintings or sculptures of this moment with Aristaeus and Proteus. We all know that the word "hold" can be interpreted to mean vastly different things. An embrace, or a jail cell. To be able to bear the weight of someone, or to have and maintain a job.
Instead, let me have the image locked inside of me.
Of one person holding another
no matter what they will change into.
be well; be loved,
k.
(Image: Moon Kyu Lee photographed by Marta Bevacqua for Nasty Magazine via bienenkiste tumblr)
